We have sought clarification from licence holders about the restrictions imposed on Trans Pride Brighton this year, communicated in our previous post, and we’d like to clarify the position on the following:

There is NO specific threat to the event

Soft drinks, water and non-alcoholic drinks WILL be allowed in the park in closed plastic containers. (This includes sun screen, medicines and baby formula). You may be asked to take a sip of any liquids in unsealed bottles before entry.

Alcoholic drinks (in any container) will not be allowed

Fluids in glass bottles will not be allowed (exceptions will be made for medicine with a prescriptive label)

Bag searches will be soft searches only, in practice this means security staff looking inside bags without putting their hands inside. The security staff may pat down the outside of bags.

All searches will only be undertaken only by Trans Pride contracted security staff and assigned volunteers.

As per previous years the police are not invited into the park or the march. We cannot deny them access, but it is unlikely that they will enter the park without just cause. Our agreement is that if the police do enter the park to deal with any issues we are facing inside the event – they will be escorted, at all times, by a member of the Trans Pride committee. This situation is exactly the same as in previous years.

The most likely officials to enter the park will be civilian licensing officers, this is to check that the licensing rules are being applied correctly (such as the ‘Think 25’ policy)

Removing the bar & alcohol licence would have NO effect on the rules that govern the security needed for the event.

Last year we had over 5000 people attend the event; however, we did not exceed 3000 at one time. The 5000 figure is for the overall footfall on the day.

The restrictions on numbers in the park, while hugely frustrating,are for health and safety reasons, that have nothing to do with the alcohol licence. The size of the park is the issue and the number of exits available in an emergency, the limit is based on the number who could be evacuated in an emergency.

We are fully aware that there are potential bottle-neck issues around people entering the park when factoring in searches, and plans are under way to mitigate this as best as possible (potential ideas have been noted and we will release these as soon as something concrete has been agreed).

We are aware that some in our community have access needs and are currently working on the best way to safely prioritise their access to park. We shall update you all as soon as these have been finalised.

We are looking at how we can accommodate overflow from the march and once we have more detail on this, we will publicise it.

We would like to apologise for causing distress with our last post. Getting this difficult communication right is a huge challenge and one we recognise we’ve struggled with.

Our goal is putting on the best Trans Pride event we can in the context of the environment we are working in. We are a small team and this year has proved very trying for all those involved.

We hope this has alleviated some of your concerns and will help with making this year the best one yet.

Trans Pride Brighton and Hove is pleased to announce that we’ve received funding from Sports England. This funding will be used to support our activities specifically aimed at getting people of the trans, non-binary, intersex and gender non-conforming community more active.

We want our community to feel included in their endeavours to get fit, not just for the physical health benefits but also the mental health benefits. This grant will help us to fund a range of activities around the Trans Pride Brighton and Hove week (from the 15th to 21st July 2019), culminating in the first ever Trans Pride 5km Fun Run on Sunday 21st July 2019.

The support of Sports England means the world to us as it shows that the Trans, Non-Binary and Intersex community has allies who are willing to stand with us, especially in such a divisive climate.

Alongside the 5km fun run Trans Pride Brighton and Hove we are working with our local partners Brighton Frontrunners (a LGBT running group) and Trans Can Sport (a local organisation which hosts sports sessions for the Trans, Non-Binary and Intersex community) to host a Couch to 5km training programme in the lead up to the trans Pride Brighton and Hove Fun Run. By taking part in the 5km Fun Run people will be able to raise funds for Trans Pride Brighton and Hove to ensure that we’re able to continue hosting future events.

Trans Pride Brighton are also facilitating a Wheelchair Basketball session (hosted by Sussex Bears Wheelchair Basketball club) and a session at a local swimming pool specifically for members of the community.

If you’ve not already signed up for the fun run, get more details here

We’re hosting our first ever fun run* on Sunday morning on the 21st July 2019!

We say fun run but that’s just because it rhymes, we have lots of fun, but you don’t have to run, you can walk it if you prefer and the route is nice and flat and asphalt, so it’s accessible for people in wheelchairs. It’s a course of 2,5km which you can do once or twice (we will be setting an end time, so you won’t be able to loop around all day).

We will need at least 50 people to sign up by the end of March to make it happen though, so sign up and let’s have get out there!

Feel like fundraising?
If you raise £100 or more you’ll also get a special custom designed Trans Pride Brighton Fun Run Technical T shirt (it’s technical because it’s one of those fancy ones that makes your sweat disappear somehow). To give you enough time to find raise we’ll be posting these out after the event because we’ll be getting them specially printed for our fundraisers, although it won’t be in time for this year’s race, you could wear it to next year’s one (if we raise enough money to do it again hint hint).

Trans Pride Brighton and Hove is proud to announce that after a great response to our sports area last year we’re increasing our focus more on sports, wellbeing and fitness.

Why? As members of the trans and non-binary community, we understand that there are a lot of barriers we face when getting involved with sports , fitness and keeping active. We’d like to provide a space where trans, intersex, non-binary, gender-variant and gender-queer people who wouldn’t normally do sports or be active can try out various activities, have some fun and talk to like-minded people. We welcome people of all abilities and experience.

So what are we doing? The sports area in the park is going to be even better this year, with more people on hand to talk about fitness, health and wellbeing. We’ll also be partnering up with a few organisations to make sure we have some sports and fitness things that you can take part in in the week surrounding trans pride.

If you’re involved in sports, fitness and wellbeing for the trans community and would like to help us get more trans and/or non-binary people involved in sports and fitness, send us an email to sports@transpridebrighton.org. We are especially interested in people who are involved in accessible sports and fitness and people from the BAME community.

Enjoyed Trans Pride? Become part of the bigger picture by joining our volunteer Committee!

We’re currently recruiting for a variety of different roles, and looking for individuals from within the community who would like to get involved. To register your interest, please email us with a little bit about yourselves, how you might like to help out, and a brief introduction of any relevant experience you may have.

Please note you do not need to have had any work and/or volunteering experience in order to fulfil many of our roles, just a passion for the engagement and visibility of the trans and non-binary community. The roles’ time commitment varies throughout the year, with flexible role-share opportunities available, and many not requiring you to live in the Brighton area. You will be volunteering alongside experienced TPB volunteers and Trustees, being given support where necessary.

A few examples of areas of our organisation in which we are looking to recruit roles are: events, fundraising, community engagement, accessibility, administration, sales, stage management, activities, social media, design, and many more.

‘Positive Action’ refers to a range of measures and initiatives that organisations can lawfully take to actively encourage individuals from under-represented groups to apply. The selection procedure itself is no different and is based solely on merit. Due to the nature of our work, we strongly encourage applications from trans, non-binary, gender-fluid and gender non-conforming people. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic backgrounds, and persons with disabilities. If you would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to discuss opportunities with us, please contact grace.cummings@transpridebrighton.org

If you are interested in applying for a role, please send over a little bit about yourself to info@transpridebrighton.org with the subject title ‘Open Recruitment Application’. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries, or require assistance in your application.

We are looking for amazing people to contribute to this world leading event, Trans Pride Brighton is leading the way for creating equality and we’re looking for volunteers to be a big part of making a difference to people all over.

We have a variety of roles including:

Stewards

Park assistants

Park set up and/or pack down

Collection boxes

…and more

Please send us your details by clicking the button below to register for volunteering on 20th July 2019. Sign ups are welcome from all genders, nationalities, ages and abilities.